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2007 SEAstar Award winners
Ms. Susan Diehl
Instructional Classroom
Teacher/Best Buddies Co-Sponsor
Brooks Middle School
A (Best Buddies Co-Sponsor).
I met Ms. Diehl three years ago when my son first entered Brooks Middle
School. Initially, I was a little concerned that Ms. Diehl would
possess the experience necessary to assist my son in his everyday
education. However, beginning with our first encounters, I
noticed
that she radiated enthusiasm for her work and her students. Yes, that
was what I was looking for: attention, patience, and, most importantly,
high expectations. In addition to honoring Ms. Diehl for everything she
has taught my son, I would also like to nominate her for her dedication
and involvement with extracurricular activities while co-leading the
Best Buddies Organization at Brooks. Her work there confirms her
absolute dedication to her vocation and her students.
B (Instructional Classroom Teacher).
A seed was planted that may transform and flourish to become an asset
to the future of special needs individuals. Ms Diehl incorporated
Student Peer Tutoring 2 years ago. It has given my daughter
insurmountable self esteem, not only recognizing that she can be a
positive influence in the life of others, but also that she can learn
from others no matter their age or handicap. It has taught her to be an
equal without ostracizing or labeling. She has learned to be accepting
& understanding, as she learned about the medical conditions
that
result in special needs and that regardless, all peers can become good
friends.
Mr. Bruce Harken
Social Studies Teacher
Brooks Middle School
As
my daughter's social studies teacher, Bruce Harken has welcomed her
into his classroom and truly included her as a full member of the
class. He makes the necessary adaptations and modifications
to the
lessons and assignments so that she learns the material and enjoys
doing so! He understands what her physical limitations are
and adjusts
her assignments accordingly without compromising the content that he
expects her to learn. After being in Mr. Harken's class for
two years,
my daughter is now a lover of history because of how he presented the
material and because of his incredibly inclusive attitude.
Our only
regret is that Mr. Harken is retiring so future students with special
needs will not have the privilege of being included in his classes.
Ms. Kelly Hart
8th Grade student
Brooks Middle School
Kelly
is a stellar example of accepting peers for who they are. She
has a
wonderful ability to see past disability to appreciate kids for who
they are as people. She is outgoing, energetic and incredibly
accepting. She has independently coordinated activities that
have
increased interaction between kids with and without
disabilities.
Kelly is also a member of the Best Buddies board and is a peer tutor
but most of all, she is a good friend.
Pete Hostrawser
Small Business
Management and Work Experience Teacher
Oak Park River Forest
High School
Mr. Hostrawser was my Small Business Management teacher
last semester and my Work Experience teacher this semester. He helped
me understand what it would be like to run a small business. He helped
me realize that I want to study business in college with the hope of
having my own pet care business in the future. Mr. Hostrawser was a key
influence on which college I decided to go to and what major I will
study.
Mr. Ashley
Kannon
Social Studies Teacher
Julian Middle School
When
my daughter was in 7th grade, she was in a self-contained special
education classroom and also in Mr. Kannon's social studies
class.
Initially quiet and intimidated, she told me she wasn't sure if she
wanted to remain in his class. She didn't know anyone in the class and
felt alienated. I e-mailed Mr. Kannon and we worked out a
plan. From
then on, Mr. Kannon encouraged my daughter, made her feel like one of
his favorite students, and guided her studies the rest of the
year. He
gave her words of advice when she was studying for the constitution
test in 8th grade. To this day, my daughter is welcome in his
classroom-even if only to laugh and talk. She does not feel
this
connection with any other teacher. Mr. Kannon is the best!
Bonnie Marks
Case Manager/Special
Education Resource Teacher
Oak Park River Forest
High School
Bonnie Marks displays all of the qualities that a special
education case manager should have. She is an advocate for the student
to help them be the best that they can be. Bonnie makes herself
available to the student and the family. She communicates well with
others, and most of all, encourages the student to succeed to the best
of their abilities.
My son had Bonnie as his case manager throughout his 4 years at OPRFHS.
He was initially in all regular level classes with Bonnie acting as a
consultant for study and organizational skills. The following year, my
son was in Bonnie’s resource classroom where she helped him
with his academic needs and encouraged his leadership skills. During
his last two years, she encouraged him to take Honors Level and AP
classes. She really believed in him and this is what makes Bonnie an
exceptional special education teacher and case manager.
Catherine McNary
English Teacher
Oak Park River Forest
High School
Mrs. McNary teaches with insight, and relevance to her
students’ motivation and abilities. Each student is
recognized as an individual. Her creativity and pro-active
philosophy enhance student engagement and success. She
teaches at both the Transition and College Prep levels,
conducts in-service training for staff members in CRISS (Creating
Independent Student owned Strategies) techniques, and, together with
Marsha Blackwell, conducts quarterly parent workshops through Title One
to foster family involvement for the Elements of Reading
students. Her expertise as a reading specialist is
reflected in each of her endeavors, and makes a significant impact on
general and special education students alike.
Ms. Donna Middleton
Case Manager
Julian Middle School
Donna
was able to hit the ground running, in this, her first year as Case
Manager at Julian. She was able to quickly and effectively
become a
powerful advocate. Utilizing her direct experience as a resource
teacher, she is often able to offer specific and appropriate
accommodation suggestions. Donna works very hard to make the parents
feel welcome, to ensure they have everything they need to participate
effectively in their child’s IEP, and to answer their
questions
honestly. If she doesn’t have an answer, she will say so. If
she’s
trying to secure information, she will let parents know she’s
working
on it. She works very hard, putting in many hours of her own
time.
Without a doubt, she has made a significant and positive difference in
the lives of her students.
Denise O’Brien
Itinerant Teacher of the
Deaf
C.A.S.E.
Denise O’Brien has been instrumental in helping
our son get the most of his education at OPRF. Due to his
needs in regards to his deafness, his additional learning disabilities
and his less obvious physical challenges, our son has greatly benefited
from Denise’s incredible understanding of his learning needs
and her willingness and ability to work with his teachers to assist
them in meeting his educational needs.
Denise is indefatigable in exploring options, seeking solutions and
being available to staff, parents and the students she
serves. We are so blessed to have her on our team!
Carolyn Ojikutu
Dean
Oak Park River Forest
High School
Carolyn Ojikutu has been my dean for four years. Over the years she has
helped me with scheduling and scheduling changes. She tried to make
sure that the teachers were a good match for my learning style and that
the tough classes were spread over the day. Ms. Ojikutu helped me
decide which colleges to apply to, and I will be going to one of those
colleges. She wrote a letters of recommendation for me and helped me
with applying for scholarships. She has given me a lot of support, and
I appreciate it.
Ms. Lauren Saliny
Instructional Teacher
Irving School
Lauren
Saliny has to be one of the hardest working teachers in District
97.
The energy and enthusiasm she brings to the Primary DD classroom at
Irving School makes for a great environment for learning. Ms.
Saliny
truly understands what the “I” in IEP stands for as
she is willing to
try a new approach to learning if the existing curriculum is not
working for a student. By way of example, she has created a
reading
curriculum for our son that has greatly increased his reading
skills.
Ms. Saliny also works very hard at making sure her students participate
in the many school wide activities at Irving. She is a star
in the
lives of her students.
Ms. Denise
Seibert
Resource Teacher
Julian Middle School
Ms.
Seibert is a mini powerhouse of a woman! Her job is to make
sure kids
with IEPs have what they need to succeed in the mainstream
classroom.
Thanks to her amazing organizational skills, the kids do get all of the
help that their IEP indicates. She has called our house, phoned us, and
written us a note when something needs to be done that hasn't been
done. What I also like about Ms. Seibert is her no-nonsense
attitude.
She is not interested in being "popular" with her students.
Her
classroom is serious because she is serious. Her goal is to
get them
ready for high school. I'm going to miss this
amazing, dynamic
teacher!
Amy Stanis
Case Manager
Oak Park River Forest
High School
Amy Stanis has been my case manager for four
years. She helped me with homework, studying, tests,
projects, essays, etc. I’ve always felt comfortable asking
Ms. Stanis for help. She’s been there for me for the last
four years, and I will miss her.
Ms. Cathy Wrobel
Resource Teacher
Holmes School
Cathy Wrobel has been absolutely fabulous! This was her first
year at Holmes, and she jumped right in and spent a great deal of time
on our son’s evaluation and needs. She was always
available to us, with any messages returned quickly. She
established a great rapport with our son and made him feel comfortable
in their sessions. Most importantly, she worked with his
classroom teacher to modify his assignments so he could be
successful. Cathy understood so well his needs and abilities
and tailored her work with him to meet him at his current
level. She met with us throughout the year to refine the
accommodations for him, and always made us feel like our thoughts and
opinions were respected and valued. We are so grateful to
have Cathy Wrobel in our lives. She has truly made a
difference in the life of our child.